to a fault

Idioms

Excessively, extremely, as in He was generous to a fault. This phrase, always qualifying an adjective, has been so used since the mid-1700s. Indeed, Oliver Goldsmith had this precise usage in The Life of Richard Nash (1762).

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Pence is courtly, and chivalrous perhaps to a fault.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Heathrow Express, which normally runs from Paddington to the airport every 15 minutes, is closed in both directions due to a fault with the signalling system, according to the service's website.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

You are, almost to a fault, the caretaker of your loved ones.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

The Coastal Act has been aggressively enforced, at times to a fault in the opinion of developers, homeowners, commercial interests and some politicians.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

She was a loyal friend, calm in a crisis, resourceful in a pinch, and optimistic to a fault.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023